| Subcategories |
 |
Outdoors & Nature |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
The Tecate Journals: Seventy Days on the Rio Grande
written by Keith Bowden
Studio : Mountaineers Books
by Mountaineers Books
Brand : The Mountaineers Books
Publisher : Mountaineers Books
Released : 2007-10-31
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
Color : No Color
EAN : 9781594850776
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 9 reviews)
List Price : $16.95
Our Price : $9.25
|
|
| |
|
Product Description |
|
The Rio Grande is simultaneously one of the most watched and least understood rivers in the world. Some stretches of the Rio pass for endless miles through remote wilderness, boxed in by canyons hundreds of feet high and inhabited by only the hardiest animals and humans. Other stretches go straight through the centre of massive urban areas, all but ignored by the thousands of city folks above. It is a national border, a water source, a dangerous rapid with house-sized boulders, a nature refuge, a garbage dump, and a playground, depending on where you are on its 1885-mile course.That's why journalist Keith Bowden decided to become the first person to travel the entire length of the Rio as it forms the border between America and Mexico. This is his fascinating account of the journey by bike, canoe, and raft along one of North America's most overlooked resources.From illegal immigrants and drug runners trying to make it into America to the border patrol working to stop them; from human coyotes - smugglers who help people navigate their way into the United States - to encounters with real coyotes, mountain lions, and other flora and fauna, Bowden reveals a side of America that few of us ever see. The border between the U.S. and Mexico is, in many ways, a country unto itself, where inhabitants share more in common with fellow riverside dwellers than they do with the rest of their countrymen.With this isolated and colourful micro-world as his backdrop, Bowden not only explores his surroundings, but also tests his inner mettle along some of the most dangerous and remote riparian wilderness in North America. |
| |
|
| |
|
Review of: THE TECATE JOURNALS, SEVENTY DAYS ON THE RIO GRANDE |
|
A great read! Keith Bowden takes the reader on an adventurous trip that follows the Rio Grande River/Rio Bravo from El Paso, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico via: mountain bike, raft, canoe, and countless portages. I found his numerous interactions along the river very interesting. This is especially true on page 108 with Antonio. His trip along "the river" is unique. |
| |
|
Rio Bravo Adventure |
|
This nonfiction account of the author's journey down the Rio Grande is an exciting page turner. He bikes, rafts, and canoes from both sides of the border. Although he is joined by friends a few times, it is truly a solitary journey. It was a dangerous trip on many levels; the natural elements in winter, drug smugglers and Anglo haters. The Border Patrol agents turn out to be his guardian angels. This is one of those books I could easily visualize, even though my Texas River experience is limited to inner tubes. (That time we zigzagged down the Guadalupe and I was repeatedly whacked by the canoe as I clung to a rock in the rushing, freezing water doesn't count.) |
| |
|
A CLEAR EYED STORY OF ADVENTURE AND INTROSPECTION |
The Tecate Journals is well reviewed here and I'll try to avoid repetition of the other thoughtful and articulate reviews. An easy read not muddled by pomposity.
Bowden's writing is clear and direct, offering humble insights. He and his journey are presented honestly. Bowden feels no need to inflate his experiences or his observations. It's through this relative simplicity and honesty that you get a true feel for his adventure and life along the river. I appreciated this book because of Bowden's interesting choice for a journey (incredible that it hasn't been done before) and the frankness of his reporting.
May I suggest two other great paddling books - Sleeping Island by Prentice Downes and Reading the River by John Hildebrand. The Tecate Journals joins these two other books in my list of quality paddling adventure books. |
| |
|
Captures the bends of the river, but not its soul |
Seventy days on the Rio Grande! Violence! Smuggling! And on top of it all, natural beauty!
It sounds compelling.
Unfortunately, this is a very slow-moving adventure. The author meets people, but avoids talking to them if they look dangerous--or interesting. If he does talk to them, he discusses superficial items rather than deeper concerns. Much of the narrative reads like a daily diary: Today I woke up, it was cold, I saw some people, I waved to them, I paddled the river, I stopped at a village and looked for a store selling food and beer, I looked for a good place to camp.
The weather, the appearance of the opposite shores, the character of the river are well described. The author traveled the river, but never got to know its soul--or its people. |
| |
|
Great book !! |
|
This was a great book about the river and all of its inhabitants. It made me look forward to every bend in the river and the adventures that were ahead. As a person who has traveled to most of the border towns for business, it gave me an even deeper appreciation for the area and the river. It was hard to put down. |
| |
|
|
|
